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A pilgrimage has both surface ritual and deeper meaning. For example, a pilgrimage to Mecca involves wearing special clothing, performing particular sacrifices, and following prescribed routes and behavior, all of which tie into the essential meaning of the journey to a place of great significance. So, after selecting a site of personal significance, I put together a few ritualistic elements, in order to set this journey apart from normal life.

Fasting. A lot of religious rituals involve fasting, probably because it both produces a somewhat altered mental state and emphasizes the act of taking nourishment. I figured I would go with this time-tested method of heightening awareness and putting a focus on spiritual nourishment. I would wake up and then travel 3100 miles (primarily by plane, but with the last part by foot) before eating again.

Footwear. I was looking for something that would involve a bit of mortification of the flesh. I knew that with sensible boots, I could walk 25 miles without getting blisters, so something anti-sensible was needed. I found some pink flip flops at the local CVS, which seemed both anti-sensible and vaguely represented a twist on medieval sandals. Making walking into an uncomfortable task was important in order to (1) emphasize the act of will needed to move towards the destination (2) provide a reminder of the journey afterwards, via blisters.

Clothing. Often, clothing is used to demonstrate humility, and purposefully simple clothes are worn as a symbolic rejection of material values. Oddly unfashionable dress also sends the message that the exterior is less important than the interior. (Though this is a somewhat ironic medium for the message---how does prescribing what people should wear fit in the the message that what you wear is not important?) Anyhow, I went with the oldest clothing I own, which happens to be a vaguely medieval or classical outfit, which I made out of a worn-out bedsheet back in 1984. In addition to symbolizing a humbleness or openness towards learning, running around town in this particular outfit also emphasizes the somewhat risky or uncertain nature of life. (Because the material is old enough that it might very well disintegrate if I snag it on something.) Over this, I added a cloak, because it looked a bit like rain, and also I didn't want to actually be stuck running around the city naked if the tunic fell apart.

Thus outfitted, I proceeded to walk the 1.7 miles to my destination. Along the way, I tried to make eye contact with as many people as possible, and offered them free proverbs written on index cards. This was to symbolize that during the journey, it is important to engage with fellow travelers, and share the bounty. I talked to pushcart vendors, businessmen, homeless people, and tourists. One guy asked "Are you a nun?" and I told him "No, I'm a scientist, but I'm on vacation." Quite a few people stopped to take a proverb, and a number of them complimented me on my outfit.

The last part of the walk involved going up a long hill, which seemed appropriately symbolic of climbing towards enlightenment and fulfillment. Arriving at my destination, I found the location heralded by some miraculous trumpet shaped flowers. I stopped, and prayed a version of the rosary, and then rang the doorbell. I was surprised when the door was opened, and there was Sam himself. He graciously showed me around the very spot where SF0 was born, and introduced me to Sean and Lara. I was overwhelmed with the sheer awesomeness of actually being in the presence of these folks who had come up with a great idea and made it happen. We talked for a while, and then they bestowed some SF0 tokens and accepted my offerings.

I left elated, inspired, and rather light-headed. I took the Muni partway back to my hotel, bought a bunch of first aid tape for my feet, and ate a delicious cream puff and some pretty good soup. I made this pilgrimage as a token of my love and respect for SF0. This game has been a transformative experience in my life, and it was intoxicating to see meet some of the real people who continue to make SF0 happen.

Along the way, I walked past this sign in the pavement, giving the latitude and longitude.

Feet

As expected, I got quite a few blisters from the footwear.

Proverbs

I handed out a bunch of proverbs to passersby.

Trumpets

Rosary

SF0, Game of Games, please inspire us all. Inspire those players whom I've had the honor of meeting in person, inspire Burn Unit and Blue Tulip and Eleanor and Henry. Inspire Ink Tea and JJason and Anna One and Mustache Envy and Lowtech. SF0, inspire Spidere and Bunny Dragon and Listener and Zephyr. SF0, inspire players whom I haven't met but have collaborated with, or at least tried to collaborate with. Inspire Cthulu Kitty and R0ck C4ndy and Ntan and Silent Seas and Loki. SF0, inspire your founders, Sam and Sean and Ian. SF0, inspire Teucer and Lincoln and P00n and Ziggy. SF0, inspire Lank and GY0 Adam and Ben and all the GY0ers. SF0, inspire Bex and Myra Minx and Haiku. SF0, inspire Rubin and Kyle Hamilton and Dax. SF0, inspire Morte and Evil Sugar and Flitworth and Sparrow Falls. SF0, inspire sock puppets and the Alaskan players and the new players and the retired players. SF0, inspire us all, inspire all those players whose tasks I've admired but can never remember their names. SF0, inspire us all, and keep us creating as we journey through this era and future eras.

The kitchen

Sam and Sean said that much of the work for creating and implementing SF0 took place in this very kitchen!

Reminds me of what I felt when I first walked into that apartment. I was so overwhelmed. I could barely speak upon meeting Sam, Sean & Ian, and oddly enough, they were a bit flabbergasted to meet me. So weird. I couldn't get over the fact that this was on the wall.